Method for feeding objects to a conveyor by means of feeding devices and induction line using such a method

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for feeding objects (2) to conveying locations (6) arranged in series on a conveyor (5) extending in a certain conveying direction, the objects being fed by means of feeding devices (7) distributed in series in the conveying direction, the feeding devices being controlled by a central unit (8). The central unit is configured to process digital data representative of a conveying location distribution plan comprising a succession of sequences (9) of conveying locations in the conveying direction, each sequence of conveying locations comprising a certain number of consecutive conveying locations in the conveying direction, and to allocate each feeding device to a number of conveying locations in each sequence of conveying locations for the feeding of the object, the number of the one or more allocated conveying locations being less than or equal to the certain number of conveying locations in each sequence of conveying locations.

Description

Method for feeding objects to a conveyor using feeding devices and induction line using such a method

[0001] The invention is in the field of object sorting or packaging.

[0002] Generally, the feeding of objects to sorting machines or packaging systems is carried out by an object induction line comprising a conveyor itself automatically fed with objects by a feeding device. The conveyor most often comprises conveyor locations distributed at a constant pitch, each designed to receive an object.

[0003] Thus, the more the conveyor is equipped with object feed devices, the more the conveyor feed rate will be increased, subject to the availability of objects for the feed devices and the availability of conveyor locations capable of receiving said objects.

[0004] The maximum feed rate is thus achieved if each feeder has an available slot at the time it is ready to deposit an object.

[0005] However, feeders upstream on the conveyor tend to be more stressed for feeding objects than feeders downstream of the conveyor, resulting in uneven wear of the feeders and therefore more diligent maintenance.

[0006] As a result, downstream feeders have fewer conveyor locations available to place an object and may lose the synchronicity of having an object ready to be fed at the same time as an available conveyor location. These problems can lead to the last available conveyor locations being missed, resulting in a loss of object feed rate.

[0007] To overcome these problems and achieve maximum performance from feeders, it is often necessary to oversize the capacity of the induction line to provide a maximum number of conveyor locations, thus giving each feeder enough choices for depositing an object.

[0008] However, oversizing the induction line increases the footprint and therefore the overall cost of the equipment.

[0009] The objective of the invention is therefore to solve the aforementioned problems.

[0010] To this end, the invention relates to a method for supplying objects to conveying locations arranged in series on a conveyor extending in a certain conveying direction, the supply of objects being carried out using supply devices distributed in series in said conveying direction controlled by a central unit, characterized in that the central unit is configured to:

[0011] - processing digital data representative of a conveyor location distribution plan comprising a succession of sequences of conveyor locations in the conveyor direction, each sequence of conveyor locations comprising a certain number of successive conveyor locations in the conveyor direction, and

[0012] - allocating each feeder to a number of conveyor locations of each sequence of conveyor locations for feeding the object, the number of the allocated conveyor location(s) being less than or equal to the number of conveyor locations of each sequence of conveyor locations.

[0013] The idea behind the invention is to regulate the supply of objects by the supply devices in successive supply sequences or cycles so that the supply devices are not at their maximum flow rate individually, but at the maximum flow rate taken as a whole on the induction line.

[0014] The invention more particularly consists in allocating the feeders in advance to the different conveying locations of each sequence. Each sequence of conveying locations allows the feeders to have several choices of conveying locations.

[0015] This strategy thus makes it possible to minimize the number of unused locations.

[0016] The method according to the invention may also have the following particularities:

[0017] - the central unit is configured to allocate each feeding device to at least one conveying location of each sequence of conveying locations for feeding the object;

[0018] - for each sequence of conveying locations, the number of the feeder(s) allocated to each conveying location depends on the position of said conveying location relative to the other conveying locations in the conveying direction;

[0019] - for each sequence of conveying locations, the further upstream the conveying location is on the conveyor in the conveying direction, the greater the number of feeder(s) allocated to it;

[0020] - for each sequence of conveyor locations, the number of conveyor locations is equal to the number of feed devices;

[0021] - for each sequence of conveying locations, the central unit is configured to allocate an additional feeder to each adjacent conveying location arranged upstream of a conveying location on the conveyor in the conveying direction;

[0022] - for each sequence of conveying locations, the central unit is configured to allocate a single feeder to the most downstream conveying location in the conveying direction;

[0023] - the central unit is configured to dynamically update the distribution plan based on the real-time supply of objects to the conveyor locations;

[0024] - for each sequence of conveying locations, the central unit is set to use a priority order of use of the feeding devices which depends on their positioning relative to each other in the conveying direction;

[0025] - the order of priority of use of the feeding devices starts with the feeding device arranged furthest downstream in the conveying direction of the conveyor towards the feeding device furthest upstream in the conveying direction of the conveyor;

[0026] - the central unit is set to control the feeders at a certain non-maximum object feed rate so that the feed rate of all feeders is maximum on the conveyor at a given conveying speed.

[0027] The invention also extends to an induction line for objects comprising a conveyor extending in a certain conveying direction on which conveying locations are distributed, object supply devices distributed in series along the conveyor in said conveying direction, and a central unit configured to control the supply devices according to the method of the invention.

[0028] The feeding devices for the induction line can be gripping robots or insertion conveyors.

[0029] The invention may also be extended to an installation for sorting objects such as parcels, packages, letters or other objects with a destination address, comprising one or more induction lines according to the invention to supply a sorting machine. Summary presentation of the drawings

[0030] The present invention will be better understood and other advantages will appear on reading the detailed description of an embodiment taken as a non-limiting example and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which:

[0031] -illustrates very schematically a sorting installation according to the invention, comprising an induction line supplying a sorting machine;

[0032] -illustrates very schematically an induction line according to the invention in operation at a time t;

[0033] -illustrates very schematically an induction line according to the invention in operation at a time t+1;

[0034] -illustrates very schematically an induction line according to the invention in operation at a time t+2; Description of an embodiment

[0035] The method of the invention is particularly well suited to be implemented on an induction line 1 for objects 2 which, for example, feeds a sorting machine 3 of a sorting installation 4, as shown in the figure, or a packaging system. Indeed, the induction line 1 makes it possible to put in series objects 2 initially stored in bulk in order to facilitate their processing. It is therefore essential to have a sufficiently high feed rate so as not to be a limiting factor in the processing of objects downstream.

[0036] Objects 2 means all types of objects containing sorting information such as a destination address. These objects may be, for example, but not limited to, parcels, letters, small international packets or flat objects.

[0037] An induction line 1 according to the invention typically comprises a conveyor 5 extending in a certain conveying direction F1 on which conveying locations 6 are distributed. The conveying direction F1 here makes it possible to define downstream conveying locations 6 relative to upstream conveying locations 6. The conveyor 5 of the induction line 1 may, for example, be in the form of a loop conveyor or a linear conveyor depending on requirements. The use of a loop conveyor will make it possible to reduce the length of the conveyor by reducing the number of conveying locations 6.

[0038] The induction line 1 further comprises devices 7 for feeding objects 2 distributed in series along the conveyor 5 in said conveying direction F1, and a central unit 8 configured to control the feeding devices 7 to feed the conveying locations 6 with objects 2. The automated feeding devices 7 may, for example, but not limited to, be in the form of gripping robots or insertion conveyors.

[0039] The implementation of the method according to the invention, however, requires certain parameterization of the central unit 8.

[0040] Indeed, the central unit 8 is configured to process digital data representative of a distribution plan of the conveying locations 6 comprising a succession of sequences 9 of conveying locations in the conveying direction F1. Each sequence 9 of conveying locations here comprises a certain number of successive conveying locations 6 in the conveying direction F1.

[0041] By processing, we mean that the central unit 8 is designed to retrieve said digital data, save it in memory, and use it.

[0042] It is understood that the distribution plan may distinguish between an available conveyance location 6, i.e. capable of being supplied with an object, and an occupied conveyance location 6, i.e. already supplied with an object, and this, dynamically.

[0043] The sequences 9 of conveying locations are also successively distributed in the conveying direction, so that the most downstream conveying location 6 in the conveying direction of a first sequence 9 of conveying locations precedes the most upstream conveying location 6 in the conveying direction of a second sequence 9 of conveying locations following the first sequence 9 of conveying locations in the conveying direction.

[0044] The central unit 8 is also configured to allocate each feeder device 7 to a number of conveyor locations 6 of each sequence 9 of conveyor locations for feeding the object. More particularly, the number of the allocated conveyor location(s) 6 is less than or equal to said certain number of conveyor locations 6 of each sequence 9 of conveyor locations.

[0045] By allocating, it is meant that the central unit 8 authorizes the feeding of objects 2 to predetermined conveying locations 6 by a feeding device 7. The allocated conveying location 6 will necessarily be an available conveying location 6 within the meaning of the invention. This feeding is not necessarily effective, in the sense that not all the predetermined conveying locations 6 of the same sequence 9 will necessarily be fed with objects. Indeed, the feeding depends on other parameters such as the availability of an object 2 to be fed and the availability of a conveying location 6 among the predetermined conveying locations 6. Allocation is therefore a possibility offered to the feeding devices 7 to feed said predetermined conveying locations 6.

[0046] This setting here makes it possible to regulate the feeding cycles of the feeding devices 7 so that they are not at their maximum flow rate individually, but at the maximum flow rate overall on the induction line 1. In addition, the predetermined allocation of the feeding devices 7 to the different conveying locations 6 makes it possible to better distribute the utilization rate. Each feeding cycle thus allows the feeding devices 7 to have several choices of conveying locations 6. This strategy makes it possible to provide a maximum of conveying locations 6 while minimizing the number of unused locations.

[0047] The central unit 8 may also be configured to allocate each feeding device 7 to at least one conveying location 6 of each sequence 9 of conveying locations for feeding the object.

[0048] This function allows the wear of the material to be distributed by ensuring that each feeding device 7 is used at least once per sequence 9 of conveying locations.

[0049] The central unit 8 may also be configured so that, for each sequence 9 of conveying locations, the number of the feeder(s) 7 allocated to each conveying location 6 depends on the position of said conveying location 6 relative to the other conveying locations 6 in the conveying direction.

[0050] For example, for each sequence 9 of conveying locations, the further upstream the conveying location 6 is located on the conveyor 5 in the conveying direction, the greater the number of feeder devices 7 allocated to it. This setting here makes it possible to favor the use of the feeder devices 7 furthest downstream in the conveying direction, always with the aim of homogenizing the wear of the equipment.

[0051] More particularly, the central unit 8 may be configured to allocate, in each sequence 9 of conveying locations, a number of conveying locations 6 equal to the number of feed devices 7. This configuration here makes it possible to reduce the footprint of the conveyor 5 by reducing the number of conveying locations 6 to the maximum capacities of all the feed devices 7.

[0052] The central unit 8 may also be configured to allocate, in each sequence 9 of conveying locations, an additional feed device 7 to each adjacent conveying location 6 arranged upstream of a conveying location 6 on the conveyor 5 in the conveying direction. This configuration here makes it possible to increase the number of conveying locations 6 allocated to the feed devices 7 furthest downstream in the conveying direction, so as to increase their chances of being used for feeding objects 2 compared to the feed devices 7 furthest downstream.

[0053] The central unit 8 may also be configured to allocate, in each sequence 9 of conveying locations, a single feeder device 7 to the conveying location 6 furthest downstream in the conveying direction. This function here makes it possible to ensure that this conveying location 6 is specifically fed by a single feeder device 7 so as to limit the risks in the event of desynchronization of the feeder devices 7.

[0054] The central unit 8 may also be configured to dynamically update the distribution plan based on the real-time supply of the objects 2 to the conveyor locations 6. This configuration here makes it possible to avoid the supply of two objects 2 to the same conveyor location 6.

[0055] The central unit 8 may also be configured to impose, in each sequence 9 of conveying locations, an order of priority for use of the feeding devices 7 which depends on their positioning relative to each other in the conveying direction.

[0056] More particularly and by way of example, the order of priority for use of the feed devices 7 may start with the feed device 7 located furthest downstream in the conveying direction of the conveyor 5 towards the feed device furthest upstream in the conveying direction of the conveyor 5. For this, the central unit 8 will include in memory the order of distribution of the feed devices 7 along the conveyor 5 in the conveying direction. This setting here makes it possible to give the feed devices 7, downstream or upstream in the conveying direction, equal opportunity to feed an object 2 to a conveying location 6.

[0057] The central unit 8 may also be configured to control the feed devices 7 at a certain non-maximum feed rate of objects 2 so that the feed rate of all the feed devices 7 is maximum on the conveyor 5 at a given conveying speed.

[0058] The different settings of the central unit 8 may be used independently of each other or combined as required. For example, the allocation of the conveyor locations 6 to the different feed devices 7 may be adapted to the duration of the cycle time of use of the feed devices 7, to the speed of the conveyor, and to the number of feed devices 7.

[0059] An example of implementation of the method is shown here in Figures 2 to 4.

[0060] On the, we are at a time t in which the induction line starts an object supply cycle. The central unit 8 ensures that each gripping robot 7 has reserved access to at least a quarter of the conveying locations 6. The central unit has therefore already established its distribution plan for the conveying locations 6. We note that the sequence 9 of conveying locations 6 comprises four conveying locations 6, the most downstream in the conveying direction of which is allocated to the gripping robot R4, the next upstream conveying location 6 is allocated to the gripping robots R3 and R4, the next upstream is allocated to the gripping robots R2, R3 and R4, and the next upstream is allocated to the gripping robots R1, R2, R3 and R4.

[0061] In the figure, we are at a time t+1 in which the induction line has started feeding objects. The gripping robot R1 was unable to feed the conveying location 6 located downstream in the conveying direction, opposite the gripping robot R2.

[0062] However, since the gripping robot R2 missed feeding its first conveying location 6 allocated to it in the same sequence 9 of conveying locations 6, the gripping robot R2 can feed the conveying location 6 missed by the gripping robot R1. The conveying location 6 missed by the robot R2 can be fed with an object by the gripping robot R3 or R4 downstream in the conveying direction.

[0063] On the, we are placed at a time t+2 in which the induction line continues the supply of objects. The robot R4 has an object ready to be deposited in a conveyor location 6 while the gripper robot R2 has just deposited its object in the conveyor location 6 missed by the gripper robot R1 at T+1.

[0064] Thus, it is understood that if a gripping robot 7 cannot supply its allocated conveying location, said conveying location 6 will be available for the following gripping robots. This allows the downstream gripping robots 7 to have the assurance of accessing their allocated conveying locations 6 among which are conveying locations 6 previously missed by the upstream gripping robots 7. Thus, a downstream gripping robot 7 is offered a choice of conveying locations 6 compared to an upstream gripping robot 7 that is equivalent or even greater in the case of upstream conveying locations 6 not supplied.

Claims

Method for supplying objects (2) to conveying locations (6) arranged in series on a conveyor (5) extending in a certain conveying direction, the supply of objects being carried out using supply devices (7) distributed in series in said conveying direction controlled by a central unit (8), characterized in that the central unit is configured to:- process digital data representative of a distribution plan of the conveying locations comprising a succession of sequences (9) of conveying locations in the conveying direction, each sequence of conveying locations comprising a certain number of successive conveying locations in the conveying direction, and- allocate each supply device to a number of conveying locations of each sequence of conveying locations for the supply of objects,the number of the allocated conveyor location(s) being less than or equal to the certain number of conveyor locations of each sequence of conveyor locations., Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the central unit is configured to allocate each feeding device to at least one conveying location of each sequence of conveying locations for the feeding of the object. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, for each sequence of conveying locations, the number of the feeder(s) allocated to each conveying location depends on the position of said conveying location relative to the other conveying locations in the conveying direction. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that, for each sequence of conveying locations, the further upstream the conveying location is located on the conveyor in the conveying direction, the greater the number of the feeder(s) allocated to it. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, for each sequence of conveying locations, the number of conveying locations is equal to the number of feed devices. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, for each sequence of conveying locations, the central unit is parameterized to allocate an additional feeder to each adjacent conveying location arranged upstream of a conveying location on the conveyor in the conveying direction. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that, for each sequence of conveying locations, the central unit is parameterized to allocate a single feeder to the most downstream conveying location in the conveying direction. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the central unit is configured to dynamically update the distribution plan according to the real-time supply of objects to the conveyor locations. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, for each sequence of conveying locations, the central unit is configured to use a priority order of use of the feed devices which depends on their positioning relative to each other in the conveying direction. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the order of priority of use of the feed devices starts with the feed device arranged furthest downstream in the conveying direction of the conveyor towards the feed device furthest upstream in the conveying direction of the conveyor. A method according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the central unit is configured to control the feeders at a certain non-maximum object feed rate so that the feed rate of all the feeders is maximum on the conveyor at a given conveying speed. Induction line (1) for objects comprising a conveyor extending in a certain conveying direction on which conveying locations are distributed, object supply devices distributed in series along the conveyor in said conveying direction, and a central unit configured to control the supply devices to supply the conveying locations with objects, characterized in that the central unit is configured to implement the method according to any one of the preceding claims. Induction line for objects according to claim 12, characterized in that the feeding devices are gripping robots. Induction line for objects according to claim 12, characterized in that the feeding devices are insertion conveyors. Sorting installation (4) for objects such as parcels, packages, letters or other objects with a destination address comprising one or more induction lines according to one of claims 12 to 14 for supplying a sorting machine (3).

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